Kim Jong-un Thanks S.Korea for 'Sincere Efforts'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) poses with members of a high-level delegation to South Korea, in this photo from [North] Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday. /Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday expressed "satisfaction" about the visit of his sister Yo-jong and titular head of state Kim Yong-nam to South Korea for the Winter Olympics, according to the official [North] Korean Central News Agency.

Kim expressed thanks to South Korea and said he was impressed by South Korean officials' "sincere efforts" to take care of the North Korean delegation, it added.

The official Rodong Sinmun carried a rare photo of Kim Yo-jong holding her brother's arm on Tuesday. Kim Jong-un is flanked by his sister and other members of the high-level delegation that had returned from Seoul the previous day. He is clutching the hand of nonagenarian Kim Yong-nam.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying, "It is important to continue making good results by further livening up the warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue created by the strong desire and common will of the North and the South with the Winter Olympics as a momentum."

He gave directions in detail on how to improve and develop inter-Korean relations in the future, it added. A government official here said the North Korean media "emphasized Kim's keen interest in what the delegation did in the South."

Kim Jong-un also posed for a photo with the Samjiyon Orchestra, including bandleader Hyon Song-wol, who had been giving concerts in South Korea.

The Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang mouthpiece in Japan, implied the charm offensive will continue. It wrote it is "reasonable" to say the North will not carry out any nuclear or ballistic missile test while efforts are underway to improve inter-Korean relations.

Meanwhile, the North Korean permanent mission to the UN on Monday said the UN Security Council's sanctions against the North violate its sovereignty and run counter to international law, AP reported.

The North demanded that a forum of international law experts should verify the legitimacy of the resolutions against it.